love.is.

I’m sitting here in the library, and I have an empty chair next to me, I wonder if people think I’m crazy…I never did have an imaginary friend. (o;  This week has been wild…I’ve been learning a lot about forgiveness, and Jesus, and treating people with love.  I have to tell you this one thing that happened this week.  On Fridays we do a little Bible study at the nursing home, and this one lady came that doesn’t usually come.  Afterwards, I went up to her to tell her “thank you for coming” and  “it was so wonderful you could make it”…and she went on to tell me that she enjoyed it so much, and it brought tears to her eyes.  Then she told me that her husband had died recently.  That stopped me right in my tracks.  I could not imagine being that little old lady, trapped in that nursing home, with no one to love her like her husband had.  I couldn’t imagine the nights when she just layed on her bed remembering him, and now he was gone.  I just cannot wrap my mind around that.  She went on to say that he was in a better place, and she had so much joy in her voice!  This lady KNEW that her husband was in a better place “and soon she would see him”.  This lady had so much trust that the LORD was going to help her.  She had so much hope.  It made me smile.  Here I am worried(sometimes) about what is going to happen to me; and this lady, who is stuck in a nursing home without her husband is FULLY TRUSTING IN THE LORD.  That encouraged me and convicted me.  If Maxine is perfectly at peace, then why can’t I be?  There is a verse in the Psalms that has been running through my mind all week:

“And now, LORD, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.” (psalm 37:9)

O that my heart might sing this always.

Another thing that I learned from this little conversation, is how little I know about love.  What comes to mind is a quote from the movie “Dan in Real Life”.  Dan says it quite perfectly:

“love is not a feeling, it’s an ability.”

Hilarious I know, but so true.  We get wrapped up in feelings and things like that, but is it really real?  I know that I don’t understand the slightest thing about loving someone, but something that I saw in Maxine is that she had really loved and adored her husband.  She had this sweetness about her, that I think her husband was crazy about it.  I loved how she talked as if he was up there waiting for her.  And I don’t know if we are going to recognize one another after the resurrection, but if we are going to, I would like to see this reunion.  I think is would be a lovely one.  If ever there is one for me, I wish to love him like Maxine loved her husband.  I think it is the most adorable thing when one is old, and still in love.  That is what I want to be…still in love no matter how old we become.  I think it is the sweetest thing ever.

Another thing that I have been learning over the past few months…cooking is the answer to almost everything.  I don’t know how many times I have felt down or unhappy, that I have put on an apron and made something, and I felt so much better.  I. love. to. cook. ♥ I think I always will.  (o:  It makes people happy, which makes me happy.  I think baking is a world of possibilities.  Everyone should learn how to make a pie..that is what I have been practicing lately..making pies..I adore pie(if I am allowed to use that word).  I hope I will always have a little flour and a little oil(and some wine) to share with someone else who needs it. 

The library man took my chair.  I guess my little *imaginary* friend has left(o;

-ria♥

in the corner…

Every friday afternoon, we do a little Bible study at the nursing home. One of the ladies requested this song, but none of us knew it..so she just read it out loud. It.spoke.to.my.heart. <3 . You know, we don't need to be on some unknown soil to spread the Gospel..you can do it right where you are. We shouldn't put limitations on our sharing the Gospel, because maybe, just maybe, someone right in front of you at the grocery store needs to hear it. I thought this was such a special song though..really, take the time to read it. It is worth it.
:::::::::::::::——————::::::::::::::::::————-::::::::::

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar;
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Refrain:
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!

Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,
Let not narrow self your way debar;
Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
Brighten the corner where you are.

Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::——————:::::::::::::::::—————::::::::::
-lala

the heavens declare.

O my goodness! Right now, I cannot begin to express how utterly and completely excited I am!
JEHOVAH IS SO GOOD.
And I don’t mean that lightly. I mean *good* as in amazing, astounding, unutterable, worthy(SO WORTHY), Holy, just, righteous, perfect…all these things…
Yesterday, we had a conversation with two atheists…then we prayed for them(Lance and Josh are their names). Today, there was a yellow, sticky note waiting for us to get back…it said something like:
“Josh called..He wants to meet with you some more..take a guy with you…”. We had not given this man a contact number. He called the number on the back of the tract Soryn gave to him. Open door. I am amazed at how the LORD is working! Pray for Josh(and Lance)..pray that we would have words to share..pray that his heart would be ready..pray that the Holy Spirit would be convicting him..pray that He would find truth…and pray for us, that the LORD would keep us humble; and that we would depend completely and fully on Him for this situation. I am happy..so happy…I serve an amazing Saviour.
-ria <3 .

8:00 p.m.

I’ve been think think thinking a lot lately…(seems I always am)..about God, and friendship, and the LORD’s will for my life, and music, and trying new things..

Today, I thought about what I was before I knew Christ, and then I shared what Christ has done in me with a dear friend.  I serve an amazing LORD.  Looking back, I can see how much He has changed me; and really it has been nothing in myself..nothing of me at all…and that is so humbling to think about.  Jehovah has been so very gracious to me..He has patiently molded me and is still shaping me into what He wants me to be, and I think that is the most amzing, romantic thing ever.  O how great and lovely He is!

I have also been thinking about friendship.  Last weekend, I had a good conversation with my mother about friends.  In the end, some people change..they just do, and your friendship will never be the same again.  And you know, that is okay.  Sometimes we just have to pick up and move on…there will always be another with open arms(as long as your arms are open)..don’t let one messed up relationship ruin the rest.  People are people, and we will always have to deal with them..so do it in a loving manner.

What is next for me?  I really don’t know. and. I. am. so. happy. about. it.  I am not anxious, or undone;  I am at complete peace.  I am just waiting for  it to all unfold…I know the LORD has this beautiful story to spread out, and this is just the beginning of it.  He is such a glorious Writer.

And music has been in my mind…lots of it.  (o:  One thing I have noticed though:  It is quite depressing for me to see so many people walking around with their little music players with just a blank look on their face.  It completely kills me!  The world around them is blocked out, and I think to many people are missing the beauty of it, by having little ear-phones in.  My challenged to you this week..turn your iPod off, and listen to a record instead, while cooking, or gardening, or building something…enjoy the music with the sounds around you.  Music should enhance, not block out.

*i love seeing couples hold hands..makes me smile*

Try something new today…go get a book from the library on art or poetry, or learn how to knit, or work on a car…just do something..something beautiful..then give someone the gospel.  I know you can do it.  If you have Jesus in you, then He will help you.  Don’t worry about your inadequacy..just be real, and live for Him.  LIVE THE GOSPEL.  loudly.

now..i must ride my bike home for the second time today(forgetting your bike lock is never a good idea).

loves to you.♥

-ria

i love you daddy.

· Happy

Father’s

Day!

*jam on toast*

I am

home

home

home

today…and home is the best place.  I’m sitting here in a bright blue blouse with pinstripe pants(rolled down and up because they are much to big for me), and I feel like a sailor or a happy person or something.  The girls and I woke up at 6:00 a.m. and went for an hour bike ride( up a lot of hills)…it wasn’t very pleasant..but still it hurt. so. good.  I had a nice little quiet time this morning..I was quite encouraged by some verses in the Psalms..

“Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.  Selah.” (32:7)

“Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” (32:11)

………………………………………

The LORD is my hiding place..and even when I feel like I don’t belong, or something doesn’t seem to be going right, He will always be there to hide me in the midst of His side.  He will always be the sweetest thing to my soul.  He will always be my hope.  Because of this I am able to rejoice!  I am able to shout for joy.  It is all because of Jesus that my heart so sings.♥

(i love my little sister…”lala..do you want this piece of swiss cheese?”..”of course i do.”)

•®I think I am scheduled to cut my brother’s hair…I love love love cutting hair so much. •

My mom is canning today…her etsy is taking oFF.  check it out here♥.  She sells jams, and cookbooks, and a random smattering of things.  ETSY is awesome.

*check out the new links I added..my dear friend kirsty…and some others..*

I think my wisdom teeth are coming in…Sam said it hurts…now I believe him….

I am quite happy right now.  Not lonely, just happy.

{lala}

{racing knees have I}

I am home today..and we went to the races..and I fell..

and this is what happened..

I thought it was hilarious…really, it was so funny…I would do it all over again(o;

lala♥

see you soon(o:

.Happy Birthday Bella.

(it was bella’s birthday yesterday…but today i get to see her.  and bring her. all her spiffy gifts.  she is now 18 and i am getting older, but that is okay, because i know we will always be best friend…always.  love you so much dear.  see you soon.)

a love that is more than my lonely heart.

O my mind is whirring right now…I don’t know what, but I am feeling something so odd.  I think I’m anxious but I feel completely content…I also feel like I have drank about 10 cups of cold coffee(but I haven’t had any today).  I’m sitting here in the library wishing so madly that it would rain(which isn’t really a good wish, because I have to ride my bike home).  I want so badly to dance in the rain, but dancing in the rain is quite lonely sometimes…maybe that is what I feel l.o.n.e.l.i.n.e.s.s.  I feel bad for all the people who feel lonely.  You know, I don’t think anyone should ever feel lonely, ’cause really, this is a horrible feeling.  What is loneliness though?  Is it a lack of something..or is it discontentment?  I woke up this morning with complete love for Jesus.  I WANTED so much to spend time with Him.  So, I did…I prayed, I read, and then I sang…and I wasn’t lonely one bit, because I knew Jesus was with me.  And.He.Forever.Will.Be.  Why am I lonely then?  Really, you have to understand…I do not so much experience this feeling(that is why I am writing about it), so it is quite odd for me.  I think maybe part of it is the program is almost over.  The people I have spent the last six months with are going to be gone, and most likely we are not going to see each other very much.  It’s almost like a piece of my life is going to be missing.  Which is quite a depressing thought, but I’m so intrigued by it.  The LORD puts people in our lives for a season, and then He brings more people, and those people help shape our character…that makes me smile.  It isn’t depressing at all…the LORD has a plan for each of our lives…and if it is for me to know three special people for six special months..then I will take that quite willingly.  It is a completely marvelous thing to be in the will of God.  I cannot begin to express His goodness to me.  He is so very grand..

The LORD showed me something quite beautiful in my quiet time a few mornings ago…it was in psalm 29:

 ¹Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

 ²Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

 ³The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.

 ⁴The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

 ⁵The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.

 ⁶He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.

 ⁷The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.

 ⁸The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.

 ⁹The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.

 ¹⁰The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.

 ¹¹The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Reading through this, I began to think about the voice of the LORD..if just His voice is powerful enough to do all that is above..then how much more powerful is His hand?  If just His voice can create light, and life, and all creation…then how much more can His Hand uphold you in a time of trial?  How much more can the Hand of God deliver you from loneliness, and sorrow, and death?  How much more?

We serve an amazing God.  Far beyond all that we could ever imagine.  He  is a glorious mystery.  He is so worthy.  I love you LORD with all my heart. 

All glory to the King of Glory.  Blessed be your name Jehovah.

-ria

tape and love.

•A lot has happened today.  A lot that has made my mind whir and my heart stir.  It. is. just.great.to.be.alive.  I am happy today.  The “i’ve been making chocolates” happy(o:  I wish I had a red balloon right now…anyway, we went to the Berean call today.  So many books I wish I could read.  I think my favorite part was when we walked into the shipping room.  I don’t know why, but it made me smile, and I just wanted to sit there and watch the ladies package things…I think it reminded me of my mother.  I would wake up to the sound of tape ripping, and the smell of sharpie marker.  So much eBay…(o:  Then we walked into the studio, and I really wanted to start singing, badly.  Sam said it didn’t smell like a studio..but I thought it did…(o;  

•Today, I was informed we only have 3 weeks of classes left..then back to normal life..whatever that means(?).

•We’ve been doing a crach course on the Old Testament the past few days.  I got stuck on the book of Ruth(o:  There is such a beautiful picture of salvation in that book!  Reading through it I felt like some sort of alluring fragrance was coming off the pages..the fragrance of grace and redemption, and everything else that so makes up our LORD.  Here is a little snipet of chapter.2:

 ”7And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.

 8Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:

 9Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

 10Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?

 11And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

 12The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

 13Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.” 

What love is that!  Reading this piece I saw the love of Christ.  Our God, our Saviour, has redeemed us.  Like Boaz was towards Ruth…the LORD looks not on what we were before, He sees us as we are now.  Isn’t that a picture of mercy!  We, who were sinners, has He saved and has sealed us with His Holy Spirit!  The past few days, the love and redemption of Christ has so been on my mind.  I just cannot comprehend the depths of His love!  In my mind I cannot understand, and yet I know.He.loves.me.♥  I am completely in love with Him.  He is so glorious.

•I get to see my Bella and the rest of my family this weekend..it is her birthday, and I am quite excited for it.  I can’t really spill anything about it(sisterly blogging has its ups and downs(o;), but I do know it is going to be completely amazing..just like her. 

•I have so much peace right now.

•my nose feels sunburned…

lala